Investigating Improved Oil Recovery in Heavy Oil Reservoirs

Yogesh Kumar Suman, Ezeddin Shirif, Hussameldin Ibrahim, Abdulsalam Ala-Ktiwi

Faculty of Engineering, University of Regina, Regina, Canada.
Faculty of Engineering, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya.

DOI: 10.4236/wjet.2014.21003                

Abstract

Primary production mechanisms do not recover an appreciable fraction of the hydrocarbon initially in place (HIIP). Practical knowledge has shown that, at the point when the natural energy in a heavy oil reservoir is nearly or altogether depleted, the recovery factor does not exceed about 20%. Some heavy oil reservoirs do not produce at all by natural drive mechanisms. This often necessitates adopting a production improvement strategy to augment recovery. Prior to implementing an improved oil recovery method (either secondary or tertiary) in the field, it is very important to investigate its potential for success. Reservoir simulation is a part of a continuous learning process used to gain insight into the feasibility and applicability of improved oil recovery methods. In this project, GEM compositional reservoir simulator has been used to study the efficiencies of different improved oil recovery strategies, ranging from waterflooding to solvent injection. The drainage volume investigated is a hypothetical box-shaped heavy oil reservoir composed of three distinct permeable layers.

Keywords

Heavy Oil; IOR; GEM Simulator; Reservoir Simulation; Drainage Volume

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

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